It is 2021, and consent is still a concept that many refuse to grasp. What most struggle with accepting is that there is no thin line between consent and its absence. The absence of consent is a violation in any way, shape, or form.
The Ari Lennox and MacG incident is not a unique story at all. In fact, it is the backbone of our experiences as women in South Africa. The outpour of opinions from a certain percentage of the male demographic following MacG’s latest podcast episode further affirms the departure between said demographic and the most basic understanding of the concept.
Google (a tool readily available at the touch of a button) defines the word ‘consent’ as “permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.” Before any action can be taken, permission needs to be granted. This rule of law exists in every level of life, whether interpersonal or intrapersonal. However, there are situations some people believe this concept ceases to exist.
What happened between Ari Lennox and MacG simply boils down to consent and is a prime example of how consent is not fixed and can be revoked at any juncture. Ari Lennox consented to appear on MacG’s sorry excuse of a podcast that thrives on controversy to create buzz. She agreed to be asked appropriate questions about herself and her music. However, the songstress did not consent to be asked about her sex life in a crass and invasive manner.
In a now-viral clip, MacG is seen asking Ari, “Is someone fucking you good right now?” Ari, visibly taken aback and unprepared for this line of questioning, responded, “Oh my God, whoa there! That’s a wild question. Why ask it that way?” MacG defended himself by pointing out that Ari has mentioned the line in a song while cackling and utterly ignorant of how uncomfortable the question made her feel.
In another clip, he teaches Ari how to say “I want to fuck you, MacG” in his mother tongue, Tshivenda. These two moments in the entire episode (which I will not be donating my YouTube view to) left such a bitter taste in my mouth. As a young, black and liberated woman, run-ins with men who believe my liberation is an invitation for them to be sexually inappropriate verbally or physically is a norm. MacG had absolutely no right to ask Ari that kind of question because it was downright wrong, and he crossed a boundary.
Further justifying his actions by blaming Ari for her explicit lyrics in her music rides the coattail of blaming rape victims for the types of clothes they wear. It is not Ari’s fault that MacG is a vile person, with a cult following of a hundred thousand other MacG’s that lack self-awareness, respect, and a basic understanding of consent.
We all know a MacG in our lives, unfortunately, and it is such a pity that his brand of media is what the world will relate us to. Ari has since announced that she will no longer be performing in South Africa, which is a massive loss for those who actually appreciate her music. Hopefully, she reconsiders because there are so many Shea Butter Babies who love, support, and understand her.
